Giant Bomb News

RSS

Sony Unveils First PlayStation Certified Tablet [Updated]

Owners to have access to a lineup of original PlayStation games later this year.

By Patrick Klepek  |  April 25, 2011

UPDATE: I've dropped an image of Crash Bandicoot running on the tablet, courtesy of Engadget.

Soon, you'll have the ability to download original PlayStation games on a Sony-branded tablet. No, I'm not sure anyone was asking for complicated controller-based games to be mapped to a touch screen, but my own snark aside, Sony revealed the first PlayStation Certified tablet at an event in Japan tonight.

Ridge Racer advocate and PlayStation lead executive Kaz Hirai was on-hand to help unveil Sony's devices. There are actually two tablets coming from Sony sometime in fall 2011, S1 and S2. Both have tentative codenames, with the former designed for home use ("rich media entertainment," says the press release), the other meant for on-the-go experiences ("mobile communication and entertainment"). 

 The current look of the two tablets. It's not common for tablets to have split-screens.
 The current look of the two tablets. It's not common for tablets to have split-screens.

The press release doesn't provide any indication of the lineup of original PlayStation games, only mentioning consumers will have access to "high quality first generation PlayStation titles," but games like Crash Bandicoot have already launched on other PlayStation Certified phones featuring Android.

Based on Google's Android 3.0 operating system, Sony's S1 features a 9.4-inch display, while the S2 sports two 5.5-inch displays. Both can grab onto local Wi-Fi points and access 3G and 4G networks.   

No pricing information is available yet for either tablet.

I'm still trying to figure out how original PlayStation games would be any fun with touch, though.  
Filed under: PlayStation
136 Comments
anbumakuraon April 25, 2011 at 10 p.m.
Looks cool.

Edit: Yay, lucky refresh!
jorojoserojason April 25, 2011 at 10:01 p.m.
Interesting...did they detail any specs? I'm supposed to receive my Motorola XOOM sometime soon, but I'd still like to know what's coming down the line.
TepidSharkon April 25, 2011 at 10:01 p.m.
This ties into the Playstation Suite stuff, right?
Warihayon April 25, 2011 at 10:01 p.m.
I'll stick with my iPad.
BulletStormon April 25, 2011 at 10:02 p.m.
Meh. Just, Meh.
MisterMouseon April 25, 2011 at 10:03 p.m.
ehhh, I dont know how I feel about it, if the games port well sure, but that is unlikely.
MKSKILLZ16on April 25, 2011 at 10:03 p.m.
Don't care about tablets yet, but funny jab at Kaz for the Ridge Racer enthusiasm.
C_Rakestrawon April 25, 2011 at 10:03 p.m.
I can't imagine PlayStation games working well on a touch-based interface. The games were made with a controller in mind. How are they going to make those games work?
Griffon April 25, 2011 at 10:03 p.m.
What happened to the NGP?  I'm at capacity for touching my games.
SlasherManon April 25, 2011 at 10:03 p.m.
I guess it's nice having another iPad competitor. Just keep the prices reasonable.
The S2 seems kinda odd, though.
BraveToasteron April 25, 2011 at 10:04 p.m.
Looks expensive.
TomPon April 25, 2011 at 10:04 p.m.
Man, I have no interest in playing PlayStation games on a tablet at all.
Afroman269on April 25, 2011 at 10:05 p.m.
@anbumakura: already took it, I just deleted the comment to give false hope.
Xeiphyeron April 25, 2011 at 10:06 p.m.
I guess so...

Not interested in a tablet either way, but ps1 games on a touchscreen sounds horrible.
SlightConfuseon April 25, 2011 at 10:06 p.m.
not intrested
invadernickon April 25, 2011 at 10:07 p.m.
I wonder if it'll give my credit card info to hackers. 
MisterMolluskon April 25, 2011 at 10:08 p.m.
Aaaah, virtual buttons never end well.
Little_Socrateson April 25, 2011 at 10:08 p.m.
I dunno, I think a PS1 game like Final Fantasy VII or Vagrant Story could be all right. You know, games in formats that work well for touch-screens because they mostly operate on interactive menus. Or puzzle games, of course. Platformers are a pretty big pass, though.
chickdigger802on April 25, 2011 at 10:08 p.m.
cuz everyone would love to spend ~$500 on a device just to play ps1 titles ;)
AndyPhiferon April 25, 2011 at 10:09 p.m.
I guess some games could work for it? Old school RPGs work fine on a touch screen.

Dig Deeper into PlayStation

Sony's first video game console established the PlayStation brand. It was also the first successful disc-based console.

Edit/View the Wiki
Hit the Forums (41 Posts)
Add/View Images (34 Images)
Watch Some Videos
Popular News
Diablo III Sells 3.5 Million Copies In its First Day Alone

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is now the fastest-selling PC game of all time.
38 Studios Unveils its First Look at Project Copernicus

In the wake of the studio's recent financial drama, the studio finally opens the door on its long-awaited MMO.
Wii U’s Controller May Have Seen Some Changes

No more Circle Pad-style analog sticks, and some swapped button placement.
Johann Sebastian Joust Is Latest iOS Cloning Victim

Studio behind awfully similar game for iOS claims an agreement was in place.
And Now Aliens: Colonial Marines Won't Be Coming Out This Year, Either

Gearbox's Aliens side-story slips to February.
38 Studios Pays its $1.125 Million Debt, Will Receive No Additional Funds from State

Oh, and the governor of Rhode Island just tossed out a release date for "Copernicus."
Activision Lawsuit Has Details on Bungie’s Next Game

First game scheduled for Xbox 360, sequels on unannounced platforms.
Worth Reading: 05/18/2012

You have 20 seconds to click on this article and discover what games you might have missed and what stories passed you by.
Diablo III Sells 3.5 Million Copies In its First Day Alone

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is now the fastest-selling PC game of all time.
38 Studios Unveils its First Look at Project Copernicus

In the wake of the studio's recent financial drama, the studio finally opens the door on its long-awaited MMO.
Wii U’s Controller May Have Seen Some Changes

No more Circle Pad-style analog sticks, and some swapped button placement.
Johann Sebastian Joust Is Latest iOS Cloning Victim

Studio behind awfully similar game for iOS claims an agreement was in place.
38 Studios Pays its $1.125 Million Debt, Will Receive No Additional Funds from State

Oh, and the governor of Rhode Island just tossed out a release date for "Copernicus."
And Now Aliens: Colonial Marines Won't Be Coming Out This Year, Either

Gearbox's Aliens side-story slips to February.
Activision Lawsuit Has Details on Bungie’s Next Game

First game scheduled for Xbox 360, sequels on unannounced platforms.
Worth Reading: 05/18/2012

You have 20 seconds to click on this article and discover what games you might have missed and what stories passed you by.

Submissions can take several hours to be approved.

Save ChangesCancel